Port of Miami

Welcome to the Port of Miami! We’ve sailed many times out of Miami, and thought you might enjoy some of the pictures. As always, click on the pictures for a larger view.

For those of you with questions about a cruise sailing out of Miami, here are some tips:

You can stay at any number of hotels the night before or after your cruise, either by the airport or downtown, which is only a few minutes away from the Port of Miami. Most airport hotels have complimentary shuttles to and from the airport, and there is also a shuttle available for a charge that will take you from the airport (MIA) directly to the cruise terminal of your choice. Try Orbitz for good pricing on pre-cruise hotels, or Priceline for even deeper hotel discounts. You should be able to catch a cab from your downtown hotel to the terminal for about $10, whereas it will cost you between $20 and $30 from an airport area hotel.
Transportation from the pier to the airport runs from $9-$10 per person for a shuttle (you will share with others) and approximately $24 per ride for a taxi. You can also arrange for transport through various local tour companies, your cruise ship line or possibly your hotel.
For the various cruises we have taken, we find that arriving earlier allows for the best embarkation experience. It’s usually less busy between the hours of 11am and 1pm, before the masses begin arriving. In this way, we usually get to board the ship and look around before it gets crowded, and although the rooms aren’t usually ready we don’t mind and enjoy having the ship to ourselves.
TIP: Always ask at the check-in counter and then again at the guest relations desk (after muster, to ensure they have a final passenger count) if any upgrades are available. Sometimes you can receive a complimentary or low-cost upgrade to a better room, and enjoy it for less than you would have paid at the time of booking. It’s always worth asking!

If you should have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can reach me at admin@travel-like-a-pro.com.

Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, sailing out of Miami at sunset (it was turning around). She looked glorious!

A row of pretty cruise ships leaving the Miami port on a Monday evening. Two Royal Caribbean ships, two Carnival ships and a Norwegian ship. As seen from the deck of the Navigator of the Seas

On the deck of the Carnival Fascination while docked in Miami

Freedom of the Seas docked in Miami port

Downtown Miami in the background, as seen from our cruise ship deck (Freedom of the Seas)

Cruise ship terminal at Port of Miami

Biscayne Bay as seen from a cruise ship deck in Port of Miami. Also note the parking garage immediately adjacent to the cruise terminal/s

Downtown Miami, including the massive entertainment complex, as seen from Royal Caribean’s Freedom of the Seas

Loading up the ship on turnaround day. There were dogs sniffing each skid of goods to check for illegal substances.

FLeaving the ship on turnaround day in Miami. Over the bridge you can just see the marina and Bayside Marketplace, a great place to have lunch or dinner and watch the cruise ships (before or after your trip).